FILE – In an April 16, 2013, file photo Treasury Secretary Jack Lew testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington before the House Budget Committee. Congress needs to raise the debt limit and take away the “cloud of uncertainty” about the nation’s ability to pay its bills, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said in an interview broadcast Sunday, July 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Molly Riley, file)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress needs to raise the debt limit and take away the “cloud of uncertainty” about the nation’s ability to pay its bills, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said in an interview broadcast Sunday.

“The fight over the debt limit in 2011 hurt the economy, even though, in the end, we saw an extension of the debt limit. We saw confidence fall, and it hurt the economy,” Lew said on NBC’s “Meet The Press.” :Congress needs to do its job. It needs to finish its work on appropriation bills. It needs to pass a debt limit.”

Senior lawmakers on Capitol Hill are trying to come up with must-do legislation to keep federal agencies running after Sept. 30 and prevent the possibility of a government shutdown. At issue is what is Login to read more